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Misalignment between the different levels of complex societal systems (e.g. socio-technical, socio-ecological) are often a barrier to transitioning these systems toward more sustainable behavior. One way to understand alignment is through the Multilevel Perspective Theory of sustainable transitions in sociotechnical systems (MLP) which posits that when a regime (the current “ways of doing” something) exhibits behavior that negatively impacts its surrounding economic, social and environmental landscape, that landscape will exert pressure on the regime to change. This in turn opens the window of opportunity for niche developments such as novel technology adoption or policy changes. Therefore, understanding the relationships between the landscape, the regime and emerging niches can help align these different levels of perspective to facilitate a successful transition toward more sustainable practices. This paper describes a methodology for mapping complex systems such as agricultural systems based on MLP theory, and incorporates a fourth “user” level (e.g. the farm) into this multilevel framework (MLP+F). The methodology is illustrated with a case study example of North Carolina’s lagoon and sprayfield swine waste management regime. By integrating well-established techniques for data collection and analysis, the case study engages a diverse panel of local experts through a modified Delphi approach to identify the relevant concepts and their cause-effect relationships for the current regime. These concepts and relationships are then categorized and organized into a multilevel, multi-perspective conceptual model using fuzzy cognitive maps. The conceptual model identifies how stakeholder groups align in their perception of the system, and provides a foundation for future qualitative, semi-quantitative, and visual analyses of the system and how it can be changed through alternative scenarios. Although this methodology was initially developed for agricultural applications, it has potential for application to other complex societal issues where understanding stakeholder alignment and the potential for sustainability transitions through change are needed.

North Carolina has a high density of swine farms with nearly half of the commercial operations located in two eastern counties. Lagoon and sprayfield (LS) is the dominant method of swine manure management despite pressure to transition to environmentally superior technologies. LS is an efficient and cost-effective method of waste management but has negatively impacted the environment and local communities from both discreet events (breeches, flooding) and ongoing issues (odor, disease vectors). The Multilevel Perspective Theory (MLP) is a frame for understanding the relationships between a sociotechnical regime, its surrounding landscape, and emerging niches for sustainable technology development to help align these different levels of perspective and support transitioning toward more sustainable practices. Here, a farm level is added to represent the user perspective of regime technology in complex agriculture systems (MLP + F). We demonstrate how change may influence the North Carolina swine waste management (NC SWM) system through alternative scenarios applied to a conceptual model developed with the MLP + F frame in a methodology for analyzing complex agricultural systems with input from a diverse panel of experts. This case study demonstrates how the methodology can be applied through two NC SWM model scenarios analyzed with fuzzy cognitive mapping techniques. The first scenario explores whether panel recommended changes generate a shift toward sustainable manure management. Inference results suggest that experts have a broad understanding of how these goals may be achieved, but strategies are needed to enhance the specificity of proposed changes. Testing scenarios with more targeted interventions within specific subsystems could provide greater guidance with regard to policy, economic factors, farm practices, or societal demands. The second scenario considers the systemic effect of introducing a manure dewatering process on swine operations, with and without landscape support. Results from this scenario indicate that the more landscape support is engaged, the greater the impact on desirable outcomes. However, contradictions emerged between different versions of this scenario such as increased negative public perceptions despite positive community outcomes. This may require further investigation to tease out potential misalignment between perceptions of a complex system and actual system behaviors.

Purpose Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is primary 4-repeat tauopathy. Evidence spanning from imaging studies indicate aberrant connectivity in PSPs. Our goal was to assess functional connectivity network alterations in PSP patients and the potential link between regional tau-burden and network-level functional connectivity using the next-generation tau PET tracer [ 18 F]PI-2620 and resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). Material and methods Twenty-four probable PSP patients (70.9 ± 6.9 years, 13 female), including 14 Richardson syndrome (RS) and 10 non-RS phenotypes, underwent [ 18 F]PI-2620 PET/MRI imaging. Distribution volume ratios (DVRs) were estimated using non-invasive pharmacokinetic modeling. Resting-state fMRI was also acquired in these patients as well as in thirteen older non-AD MCI reference group (64 ± 9 years, 4 female). The functional network was constructed using 141 by 141 region-to-region functional connectivity metrics (RRC) and network-based statistic was carried out (connection threshold p  < 0.001, cluster threshold pFDR < 0.05). Results In total, 9870 functional connections were analyzed. PSPs compared to aged non-AD MCI reference group expressed aberrant connectivity evidenced by the significant NBS network consisting of 89 ROIs and 118 connections among them (NBS mass 4226, pFDR < 0.05). Tau load in the right globus pallidus externus (GPe) and left dentate nucleus (DN) showed significant effects on functional network connectivity. The network linked with increased tau load in the right GPe was associated with hyperconnectivity of low-range intra-opercular connections (NBS mass 356, pFDR < 0.05), while the network linked with increased tau load in the left cerebellar DN was associated with cerebellar hyperconnectivity and cortico-cerebellar hypoconnectivity (NBS mass 517, pFDR < 0.05). Conclusions PSP patients show altered functional connectivity. Network incorporating deep gray matter structures demonstrate hypoconnectivity, cerebellum hyperconnectivity, while cortico-cortical connections show variable changes. Tau load in the right GPe and left DN is associated with functional networks which strengthen low-scale intra-opercular and intra-cerebellar connections and weaken opercular-cerebellar connections. These findings support the concept of tau load-dependent functional network changes in PSP, by that providing evidence for downstream effects of neuropathology on brain functionality in this primary tauopathy.

Ammonia (NH₃) emission from poultry houses is a major air quality concern. In poultry litter, uric acid converts to urea which hydrolyzes to NH₃, a fraction of NH₃ protonates to ammonium (NH₄ ⁺). Moisture content (MC), dissociation constant, and Henry's law constant affect NH₃ partitioning among solid, liquid, and gas phases. The dissociation constant (Kd) and Henry's Law constant (Kₕ) that are so well known for dilute aqueous solutions may not apply to broiler litter which has much higher ionic concentration. We quantified Kd, Kₕ, and NH₃ sorption at different MC in broiler litter in replicated lab experiments. Dissociation constant in litter slurry was 1.02 × 10⁻¹⁰, 20 % of the dissociation constant in aqueous solution, which may be due to NH₃/NH₄ ⁺adsorption and reduced activities of the dissolved ions. Henry's Law constant (0.0158 atm/M) in litter slurry was 4 % lower than Kₕ in dilute aqueous solution. Ammonia sorption increased linearly with MC from 0 to 55 %, whereas 0 % MC litter adsorbed 5 % of its background total ammoniacal N (TAN) concentration as NH₃, litter with 55 sorbed 266 % its background TAN concentration mostly as NH₄ ⁺. We have improved the understanding of NH₃ sorption in litter as function of MC. However, improved sensors that can measure TAN and pH in unsaturated matrices are required to improve quantification of N fate and transport.

Valorization of lignin into aromatics has driven researchers for decades. In this research, niobium was deposited on oyster shells (OSNC) and carbon rods (CRNC) and tested as a catalyst for depolymerization of lignin. Catalysts (2%, 5%, and 8% loading) were synthesized via wet impregnation. Batch experiments were performed at 95 °C, using 8 g of lignin, and 1 g of catalyst. Our research indicates that niobium supported catalysts are effective in partial oxidation of lignin. Maximum vanillin concentration for OSNC was found to be 86.25 mg L−1 (0.1 wt%) at 5% niobium whereas, as for CRNC, maximum vanillin concentration was found to be 139.40 mg L−1 (0.17 wt%) at 2% niobium loading. Addition of hydrogen peroxide into the batch reactor decreased the concentration of vanillin production.

The ability of motor training to encode a motor memory is reduced in older adults. Here, we tested the hypothesis that training-dependent memory encoding, an issue of relevance in neurorehabilitation, is enhanced in elder individuals by action observation which alone can contribute to learning processes. A group of 11 healthy older adults participated in this study, which consisted of three randomized counterbalanced sessions on different days testing the effects of motor training (MT) alone, action observation (AO) alone, and a combination of both (MT + AO) on motor memory encoding. The combination of MT + AO formed a motor memory in the primary motor cortex and differentially modulated motor cortical excitability in muscles that were agonist and antagonist with respect to the training task, but MT or AO alone did not. These results suggest that action observation can enhance the effects of motor training on memory encoding protocols in the older adult, possibly through Hebbian modulation of intracortical excitatory mechanisms.

Low-dose radiotherapy to the testis is effective in eradicating testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN, carcinoma in situ of the testis) at the risk of androgenic deficiency. The present trial was designed to define the lowest dose effective to control TIN assuming a dose–response relation of radiation-induced endocrinological damage. Patients with TIN in a solitary testicle or with bilateral TIN were treated with 18 Gy (14 patients) and 16 Gy (26 patients) (5 × 2 Gy per week). Biopsies to ascertain clearance of TIN were performed after 6 and 24 months. The median time of follow-up is 20.5 months. There were three adverse events. In one patient, relapse of TIN along with microinvasive seminoma was observed 2 years after 16 Gy irradiation. In two other patients, persistent spermatogonia were observed with the 16 and 18 Gy regimen after 6 and 24 months, respectively. All other post-treatment biopsies showed the Sertoli cell-only pattern. These results confirm that TIN is a radiosensitive lesion efficiently controlled in most cases with doses below 20 Gy. However, sporadic failures may occur. A dose of 16 Gy is probably unsafe and should no longer be used. Future investigations should not only focus on total dosage of irradiation but also on fractionation schedules.

Cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) are a promising new immunotherapeutic treatment option for canine atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this uncontrolled pilot study was to evaluate clinical and immunological effects of gelatine nanoparticle (GNP)-bound CpG ODN (CpG GNP) on atopic dogs. Eighteen dogs with AD were treated for 8 weeks (group 1, n=8) or 18 weeks (group 2, n=10). Before inclusion and after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks (group 1+2), 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks (group 2) 75 µg CpG ODN/dog (bound to 1.5 mg GNP) were injected subcutaneously. Pruritus was evaluated daily by the owner. Lesions were evaluated and serum concentrations and mRNA expressions of interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β, interleukin (IL) 10 and IL-4 (only mRNA expression) were determined at inclusion and after 8 weeks (group 1+2) and 18 weeks (group 2). Lesions and pruritus improved significantly from baseline to week 8. Mean improvements from baseline to week 18 were 23 per cent and 44 per cent for lesions and pruritus, respectively, an improvement of ≥50 per cent was seen in six out of nine and three out of six dogs, respectively. IL-4 mRNA expression decreased significantly. The results of this study show a clinical improvement of canine AD with CpG GNP comparable to allergen immunotherapy. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Morbus Crohn ist eine chronisch entzündliche Darmerkrankung, die von oral bis anal den kompletten Gastrointestinaltrakt betreffen kann. Das klinische Erscheinungsbild kann je nach Lokalisation und Befallsmuster unterschiedlich sein, typischerweise leiden die Patienten häufig an abdominellen Schmerzen, Diarrhoen, Gewichtsverlust und Müdigkeit. Häufig können zusätzlich Fisteln, insbesondere perianale Fisteln, auftreten während des Krankheitsverlaufs, aber auch schon als Erstmanifestation vorliegen. Auch wenn in den letzten Jahren neue Behandlungsmöglichkeiten für die chronisch entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen hinzugekommen sind, so bleibt die Therapie von Fisteln weiterhin eine Herausforderung. Ein multidisziplinärer Therapieansatz in der Behandlung von Fisteln zeigt sich dabei als optimales Management in der Fisteltherapie mit medikamentöser Therapie, chirurgische Intervention mit z. B. Drainageneinlage und (bildgebender) Überwachung und Diagnostik. Dennoch ist es häufig immer noch so, dass nur wenige Patienten mit Fisteln eine Komplettremission erreichen und insbesondere die Lebensqualität der Patienten darunter leiden kann. Daher muss auch weiterhin das Ziel sein, neue Therapieansätze in der Behandlung von Fisteln bei Morbus Crohn zu erarbeiten, um den Patienten dauerhaft besser helfen zu können.

Objectives. This article examines the effect of election outcomes on suicide rates by combining the theory of social integration developed by Durkheim with the models of rational choice used in economics. Methods. Theory predicts that states with a greater percentage of residents who supported the losing candidate would tend to exhibit a relative increase in suicide rates. However, being around others who also supported the losing candidate may indicate a greater degree of social integration at the local level, thereby lowering relative suicide rates. We therefore use fixed-effects regression of state suicide rates from 1981 to 2005 on state election outcomes during presidential elections to determine which effect is stronger. Results. We find that the local effect of social integration is dominant. The suicide rate when a state supports the losing candidate will tend to be lower than if the state had supported the winning candidate—4.6 percent lower for males and 5.3 percent lower for females. Conclusion. Social integration works at many levels; it not only affects suicide risk directly, but can mediate other shocks that influence suicide risk.